Dario Franchitti Retires from Racing

Dario Franchitti, Scottish racer and former husband of actress Ashley Judd, has announced his decision to retire from racing following a punishing injury he sustained a month ago.

"One month removed from the crash and based upon the expert advice of the doctors who have treated and assessed my head and spinal injuries post accident, it is their best medical opinion that I must stop racing," Franchitti said in a statement. "They have made it very clear that the risks involved in further racing are too great and could be detrimental to my long term well-being. Based on this medical advice, I have no choice but to stop."

The Scottish Indy 500 and IndyCar series champion was involved in a petrifying wreck at Houston's Shell-Penzoil Grand Prix in October in which he fractured two vertebrae, broke his ankle, and sustained a concussion.

Franchitti, who is currently 40 years old, was married to actress Ashley Judd until the two announced their divorce in January.

His team owner, Chip Ganassi, showered him in praise as he announced his retirement.

"What's both impressive and unique about Dario is that he has always been a student of racing, someone who not only appreciates the actual science of the sport but also the rich heritage of those racers that have gone before him," Ganassi said.